National Parks And National Landmarks

Overview:

There are wonderfully rich resources in the United States that help preserve and teach about American history. Some of the places/sites are national landmarks. Others are parks preserved to show generations what took place on their grounds and surrounding areas. They come under the auspices of the Department of the Interior and have been set aside because they are significant in the history of the U.S. , its culture, and people. These sites are protected by the Federal Government so that people can access them and learn from them for generations. The sites usually center around a specific event in history. The parks also center around a topic, but their boundaries may contain only part of the history of the area; additional places and resources may lie outside the park boundaries.

The National Park Service has established websites for each of its national parks and national sites. Visitors to the websites will find information about the parks' histories, educational programs, ranger tours, exhibits, photos, information for planning visits, things to do, and resources for teachers and students.

Explore the rich content and outstanding resources of our national parks and national sites.

Minuteman National Historical Park - National Park Service

Curriculum Materials:  Minuteman National Historical Park

The Minuteman National Historical Park offers resources for teachers and students.

1. "Rebels, Redcoats, and Homespun Heroes" - An interdisciplinary program about the early days of the American

2. Revolution showing how the Colonists and the "Regular" British soldiers affected the events of history.

3. "Lexington and Concord: A Legacy Of Conflict" - Students can study primary source materials and draw their own conclusions about the events of April 19, 1775

4.  "Meriam's Corner: Revolution Of Their Doorstep" - A lesson which explores the stories of people who witnessed the events on April 18 & 19, 1775 - from Lexington Green to North Bridge to Meriam's Corner.

5. Who Shot First? Curriculum Materials - Students read and analyze primary source materials about the Intolerable Acts and the Battle Of Lexington. 

6. Primary Sources Online by the Massachusetts Historical Society - hundreds of digitized and transcribed primary resource documents related to the beginning of the American Revolution

7. Maps showing the routes taken by the British Regulars, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Prescott

Additional Links:

• Discover History and Historic Preservation In The National Park Service

• National Park Service Collections

• National Park Service Research and Education

• National Register Of Historic Places

• National Historic Landmarks Program - List of national historic landmarks

• Park Histories, With Links

• U.S. National Archives & Records Administration

Nearby Historical Sites

Beyond the boundaries of the Minuteman National Historical Park, visitors will be able to see other famous historical sites such as the Lexington Green, the Lexington Visitors' Center, Buckman Tavern, Munroe Tavern, and the Hancock-Clarke House. 

Lexington, Massachusetts:

• Lexington, MA played a very important role in the events of April 18 & 19, 1775. Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott all played an important role in warning the colonists that the British "Regulars" soldiers were advancing to Lexington and Concord, MA. It was their warnings that helped the colonists resist the British on the dates of April 18th and 19th, 1776=5.

• When the British "Regulars" arrived in Lexington, they found local members of the Colonial Militia waiting for them. The Colonists knew the British "Regulars" were about to make their move, but they didn't know exactly when.

• Paul Revere and William Dawes rode from Boston, MA to Lexington, MA to warn the Colonists that the "Regulars" were on the move. Paul Revere was captured by the British. He escaped (or was let go after questioning) only to be captured again. He was able to complete the ride to Lexington to warn the Patriot leaders that the "Regulars" were coming, but he never made it to Concord. William Dawes and Samuel Prescott completed the ride to Concord. (Samuel Prescott was out that evening, and Revere and Dawes ran into him and secured his help.

• The British soldiers were after the ammunition the Colonists had hidden in Concord, MA. They were also after the Patriot leaders, Sam Adams and John Hancock.
  Paul Revere and William Dawes knew they had to warn the countryside.

• The militiamen who stood their ground on Lexington Green (also known as the Common), were the first to be killed by the British soldiers. The militiamen stood in two rows, facing the British soldiers that were approaching. No one knows who fired the first shot, but afterwards, eight Colonial militiamen lay dead, shot by the Regulars. This was the first time British citizens had fired upon other British citizens. The leader of the Colonial militiamen was Captain John Parker. The Regulars were ordered by General Gage to advance on both Lexington and Concord.

• After Lexington, the British moved on towards Concord.

Saratoga National Historical Park - National Park Service

Curriculum Materials:  Saratoga National Historical Park

The Saratoga National Historical Park offers resources for teachers and students.

1. Ten Facts About the Battle of Saratoga

2. "Loyal To Whom" - A virtual, asynchronous, Distance-Learning based lesson (flexible enough for in-person learning!)

3. "Loyal To Whom" - Student packet - The colonists had to decide whom they would be loyal to when the colonies declared their independence in 1776.

4. "Loyal To Whom" - Introductory video for students to view; first in a series of 5 videos for students. The video discusses the Battles of Saratoga and why they were fought

5. Who Shot First? Curriculum Materials - Students read and analyze primary source materials about the Intolerable Acts and the Battle Of Lexington. 

6. Primary Sources Online by the Massachusetts Historical Society - hundreds of digitized and transcribed primary resource documents related to the beginning of the American Revolution

7. Maps showing the routes taken by the British Regulars, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott

Additional Links:

• Discover the History and Heritage of New York State

• New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Management

• National Park Service Collections

• National Park Service Research and Education

• National Register Of Historic Places, New York State

• National Historic Landmarks Program - List of national historic landmarks

• Park Histories, With Links

• U.S. National Archives & Records Administration

Nearby Historical Sites And Landmarks

Beyond the boundaries of the Saratoga National Historical Park, visitors will be able to see other famous historical sites such as the Saratoga Monument, Schuyler House, Victory Woods, Saratoga National Cemetery, Saratoga Springs, National Museum of Dance, Lake George, and the Adirondack Mountains.